Published tribunal order
Tenancy Tribunal case 5421451 — Property damage at 24 Tawa Street, Kaikohe, Kaikohe 0405
Published 19 March 2026 · Application 5421451
Landlord favoured
- Property damage
- Cleanliness
Order
- Alaek Tua-Taiapo must pay Ngati Hine Health Trust $4,218.75 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
- The Bond Centre must pay the bond of $608.00 to Ngati Hine Health Trust immediately. DescriptionLandlord Cleaning$695.00 Lock/key replacement$220.00 Window repair$147.23 Rubbish removal$1,812.62 Lawn mowing$170.89 Wall and door hole repairs$625.25 Invoices – charged during the tenancy $1,127.76 Filing fee reimbursement$28.00 Subtotal$4,826.75 Bond$608.00 Total amount tenant owes the landlord$4,218.75
Reasons
- I conducted this hearing remotely on Microsoft Teams yesterday.
- Chris Whaley attended for the landlord.
- The tenant did not attend.
- The tenant vacated the premises. The landlord applies for compensation for costs it has incurred to restore the premises’ condition and four outstanding invoices.
How much is owed for outstanding invoices?
- During the tenancy, the landlord incurred costs for a variety of matters for which the tenant is liable including a drain blocked by wet wipes, a broken window, internal repairs, and one-off rubbish removal
- The tenant has not reimbursed the landlord for the invoices which total $1,127.76.
- The Tribunal makes a formal order for the outstanding invoices.
Did the tenant comply with their end-of-tenancy obligations?
- At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit. 1
- The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, did not remove all their rubbish, and did not return the keys.
- The landlord provided photographs proving the uncleanliness and rubbish. I accept Mr Whaley’s evidence that the tenant did not return the keys.
- The landlord submitted invoices proving its expenditure for cleaning, lawn mowing, rubbish removal, and lock and key replacement.
- The amounts ordered are proved.
Is the tenant liable for the cost of repairing damage to the premises?
1 Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) s 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v).
- The landlord asks for compensation for its cost to repair holes in premises’ walls and doors.
- The landlord submitted photographs that prove the damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. The tenant has not proved they or people at the premises with their permission did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. 2
- The landlord submitted invoices that substantiate its expenditure.
- The Tribunal allows the landlord’s claim. Filing fee
- The tenant must reimburse the landlord for the filing fee. 3 Bond
- The Bond Centre is to release the bond to the landlord in part payment of the tenant’s debt arising from this order.
Property management
- Ngati Hine Health Trust (applicant)